Trump jokes after NATO’s Mark Rutte calls him “daddy,” as leaders agree to major defense spending increases.

NATO Leaders Share Laughter Amid Pivotal Defense Talks

A lighthearted moment stole the spotlight at the NATO summit in The Hague on Wednesday when President Donald Trump responded to Secretary General Mark Rutte calling him “daddy” during high-stakes discussions about the future of the alliance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, standing alongside Trump, couldn’t contain his laughter as the exchange unfolded in front of an international press corps.

The conversation began as Trump reflected on the U.S. role in brokering the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran, comparing the two nations to “kids in a school yard” who “fight like hell” before outside intervention helps resolve conflict. Rutte interjected, “Then daddy has to sometimes use strong language,” in reference to Trump’s role in mediating the truce and his earlier use of profanity while describing the conflict’s complexity to reporters outside the White House.

During a later press conference, a Sky News reporter pressed Trump about Rutte’s remark, asking, “Do you regard your NATO allies as kind of children?” Trump played along with the humor, replying, “No, he likes me. I think he likes me. If he doesn’t, I’ll let you know. I’ll come back, and I’ll hit him hard. Okay?” The exchange prompted visible amusement from Rubio and many in attendance, with Trump adding, “He did. He did it. Very affectionate. ‘Daddy, you’re my daddy.’”

Historic Defense Spending Commitment

Turning from jokes to policy, Trump and his counterparts marked the day as a landmark for NATO. Leaders formally committed member states to contribute 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) annually to defense and security by 2035, a threshold not achieved in decades. Trump emphasized the significance of the agreement, crediting his administration’s pressure for making it possible. “I think they’re going to remember this day and this is a big day for NATO. You know, this was a very big day,” he said, adding that such consensus was unattainable before his tenure.

When asked if European allies could eventually defend the continent on their own, Trump acknowledged they would “need help a little bit at the beginning,” but expressed optimism about their growing capabilities. “I think they’ll be able to,” he said, emphasizing the alliance’s strengthened future. Trump closed the press conference by pointing out that all members except Spain had signed onto the historic agreement, leaving a sense of unity and accomplishment among the alliance’s leaders.

The blend of humor and substance at the summit reflected both the camaraderie and the serious commitments made by NATO members as they navigate a shifting global security landscape. As Trump, Rubio, and Rutte shared laughs and landmark pledges, the summit set a new course for the alliance’s collective defense in the coming decade.